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Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis
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Lignin engineering to improve saccharification and digestibility in grasses
1Division of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee at the JHI, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom.
Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|March 26, 2019
Summary
Plant lignin impacts biomass digestibility for livestock feed and industrial uses. Engineering lignin in grasses offers new ways to improve biomass conversion, enhancing its value.
Area of Science:
- Biomass digestibility
- Plant biotechnology
- Lignin biosynthesis
Background:
- Lignin concentration, structure, and composition critically affect plant biomass digestibility.
- This impacts its utility as livestock forage and feedstock for industrial biotechnology.
- Lignin engineering in monocots, particularly grasses, is gaining traction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the effects of manipulating lignin biosynthesis in energy grasses and cereal crops.
- To identify novel targets for lignin manipulation in grasses.
Main Methods:
- Review of accumulating research on lignin biosynthesis manipulation in grasses.
- Focus on conventional and novel targets for lignin engineering.
Main Results:
- Lignin engineering in monocots is becoming more feasible.
- New genes involved in grass lignin synthesis offer novel manipulation targets.
Conclusions:
- Targeted manipulation of lignin in grasses can enhance biomass digestibility.
- This has significant implications for livestock feed and biofuel production.
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